Two policemen accused of obstructing arrest in corruption case

Two Ciocana Commissariat policemen were arrested on charges of abusing their authority when obstructing an attempt by anti-corruption officers to catch two other officers red-handed while taking a bribe, Info-Prim Neo reports. Anti-corruption prosecutor Viorel Morari told a news conference Monday that this is the first time police officers are charged with such an offense. Morari recounted that the Anti-corruption Prosecution Service received information that a superior police inspector and an investigator at the Ciocana Commissariat were seeking a 2,000 euros bribe from a man accused of rape. Reportedly, 200 euros of the total were destined for the victim, and the remainder was supposed to be shared among the officers so they closed the case. On August 3, anti-corruption officers attempted to catch them red-handed, but failed after two policemen on guard denied them access to the Commissariat. Morari said footage showed that the policemen acted according to protocol at first, but then abused their powers. Either acting on their superiors' orders or due to corporate solidarity, or simply because of incompetence, the obstructors now face 2 to 6 years in prison, plus a fine and a ban from certain jobs. Morari went on to reveal that eventually the officers suspected of bribery were arrested as well and investigation is underway.